Unlock a Notoriously Tough Market (Find a Career!) by Learning Japanese
Ever tried inputting business-level Japanese into Google translate? What comes out is often hilariously inaccurate gibberish. While that may be good for a solitary laugh or two (while onlookers watch you fearfully), this is immensely indicative of the level of free translation software nowadays.
In my opinion, the software often fails to be able to translate the nuances which are not directly translatable into English, and especially has trouble with differences in syntax. Observe:
お好み焼きやすき焼きは、人数がいた方が食べやすいね。(おこのみやきや すきやきは、にんずうが いたほうが たべやすいね。)
Looks like this in English:
Okonomiyaki and sukiyaki, I is easy to eat those who had a number of people.
Unless you’re feeling cannibalistic and are likely to eat humans who have already consumed a number of people, aided by the power of two popular Japanese dishes, then I trust you will never be able to use this sentence in English.
The more accurate translation is as follows:
I guess okonomiyaki and sukiyaki are easier to eat with a lot of people, aren’t they?
Now this lack of reliable translation software is a mild inconvenience if you’re traveling, but what if you’re trying to get through a high-stakes business transaction? If you can manage to successfully manipulate Japanese into the very different syntax of English or any other language with Jenga-master-like proficiency, you’ve got yourself a job. Throw in a little business acumen and you could apply to any translation company.
Japan has for a long time been a very challenging place to do business. Whether it’s directors trying to film there, a fast-food company trying to open a chain there or salespeople trying to navigate the subtle communication practices of Japanese culture, the different laws, bureaucracy and language make things complicated.
Even with a native helping you out while you struggle to communicate your point, there are some cultural aspects that just do not translate. Instead of being a cultural bulldozer, learn Japanese! A little bit of the history and a pension for adaptation, and you’ll be able to understand why people use と思います (と おもいます – I think) so often. And why that man is bowing to the invisible person on the other side of the phone line. He’s not crazy—it’s just a force of habit!
If you’re hoping to move to Japan and don’t want to go the English teacher route, then study up on your Japanese industry jargon and try your luck in pharmaceuticals or electronics manufacturing!
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